Nineteenth-Century Stevengraph Baseball Silk "First Innings"

Sold For: $720

Auction Year:2016 fall

Lot: 1491

Item Year:1895

Category:Pre-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

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Classic nineteenth-century Stevengraph silk entitled "First Innings." This early baseball scene, executed in a tapestry of woven silk, features a game in progress and encompasses the field of play and grandstand area as well. The medium of silk weaving allows for extraordinary detail and brilliant color. Produced by Stevengraph Works, the preeminent woven-silk manufacturers of the era, the silk (5.75 x 2 inches) is housed in its original large cabinet card-style matting (8 x 5.25 inches) with label on reverse as originally issued. This is one of a small series of display silks with a sporting theme produced by Stevengraph in the early 1890s and the only Stevengraph silk ever produced relating to baseball. "First Innings" is highly prized by both Stevengraph and baseball collectors. The colors to the silk have faded somewhat over time; otherwise the piece remains in Excellent to Mint condition. Framed to total dimensions of 9.5 x 6.75 inches. Reserve $300. Estimate $1,000+.